Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire
The build up to Christmas is always an exciting time, and it’s extra special in Yorkshire.
There are dozens of Christmas fayres, markets, lights switch ons and craft fairs in North Yorkshire – including the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors – this year and we’ve listed a host of them below in alphabetical order by city or town including Harrogate, York, Knaresborough, Grassington and Ripon.
BEDALE
Bedale Christmas Festival
The Christmas Festival is bigger and better than ever this year. With over 30 stalls, live entertainment, Christmas grotto and much more to keep you entertained, this is the perfect start to December in North Yorkshire.
The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5.30pm this year, so make sure you’ve got a cup of hot chocolate and a good viewing spot!
Date: 1st December
Time: 10am to 6pm
Location: Bedale Hall, Bedale DL8 1AA
CASTLE HOWARD
12 days of Christmas at Castle Howard
With a 25ft tall Christmas tree, warming fires and beautiful decorations, you won’t want to miss out on a visit to Castle Howard this Christmas. This year’s theme, the 12 days of Christmas has given some flamboyant designs that you can enjoy all day. Don’t forget to spend some time in their on site shops, special Christmas market and delicious restaurant too for a real special seasonal treat.
Date: Saturday 17th November – Monday 31st December
Time: 10am to 3pm weekdays, 4pm weekends
Location: Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7DA
Find out more on the Castle Howard website
DANBY
Christmas craft fair
The annual Christmas fair at Danby is set to be a magical occasion this year. As well as their fantastic local stalls perfect for new decorations and special Christmas gifts, there’s the chance to meet Father Christmas, traditional music and children’t crafts.
Date: 17th November
Time: 10:30am – 4pm
Location: The Moors National Park Centre, Lodge Lane, Danby, Whitby YO21 2NB
Find out more here
EASINGWOLD
Easingwold Christmas Market
Take a wander around the charming market town of Easingwold and look at their lovely Christmas Market. It’ll be full of delicious food stalls, crafting items, with plenty to keep everyone entertained this Christmas.
If you’re still around in the evening (7:30pm – 9:30pm), there’s going to be a performance by Jessa Liversidge and members of local choirs too that will help get you in the Christmas mood. Tickets cost £7.50 and include a refreshment.
Date: 1st December
Time: 9am – 2pm
Location: Galtres Centre at Market Place, Easingwold, YO61 3AD
GRASSINGTON
Grassington Dickensian Festival
Go back in time to an earlier era – it’s like opening the pages of a Charles Dickens’ novel and finding the characters come alive. With Christmas lights and decorations, the village square and surrounding streets become magically transformed into a traditional Victorian market, as shopkeepers, stallholders, villagers and visitors dress up in period costume. Entertainment from dancers, musicians, street performers, and with exhibitions of traditional local country crafts.
Date: 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th December
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Grassington, North Yorkshire, BD23 5NX
HARROGATE
Christmas Market
With nearly 200 stalls to take a look at, food and drink marquee, craft marquee, Santa’s grotto with real reindeer, you won’t want to miss out on Harrogate’s Christmas Market. As well as all the festive fun, you and the young ones can enjoy themselves on the fun fair too.
Date: 15th – 18th November
Time: Thursday and Friday 10am – 7pm, Saturday 9:30am – 8:30pm, Sunday 9:30am – 5:30pm
Location: Montpellier Quarter, Harrogate, HG1 2RB
HOVINGHAM
Hovingham Christmas Market
This is a award-winning community market with 40 stalls selling food and crafts. They have two dates this year to fill you with the Christmas spirit, so make sure you head over to one or both of these lovely local markets.
Date: 1st December, 15th December
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm
Location: Main St, Hovingham, York YO62 4JY
KNARESBOROUGH
Knaresborough Christmas Market
Knaresborough Christmas Market is always really special. As well as the stall full of local products, crafts and gifts, there will be live entertainment including carol signing, Morris dancing and a brass band. This year, at 4:30pm on Sunday, the market will come to a close with a spectacular firework finale.
Date: 1st and 2nd December
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Market Square, Knaresborough, HG5 8AG
Refreshments available.
Find out more about the market here
MALTON
Malton Christmas Food Market
The Malton Christmas Food Market is set to be a real treat this year. With unique gifts and locally made Christmas foodie delights, you wont want to miss the opportunity to wander round these stalls and sample a mulled wine or figgy pudding!
Date: 8th and 9th December
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LP
Learn more about Malton’s Christmas market here
MASHAM
Christmas Fair
Come along to the Masham Christmas Fair to for craft and gift ideas, lots of seasonal stalls and activities, and delicious foods. All day, you’ll also be able to buy your Christmas tree, listen to handbells and carol singers, and visit Santa in his grotto in the Town Hall.
Date: 8th December
Time: 10am start
Location: Masham Town Hall, Little Market Place, Masham, HG4 4DY
RIPLEY CASTLE
Christmas Fair at Ripley Castle
There will be 155 festive stalls waiting for you when you arrive at Ripley Castle this Christmas. Find your perfect Christmas wreath, mouth watering foods to nibble at gorgeous gifts and lovely stocking fillers as you wander around the stalls in this historic setting.
Date: 22nd to Sunday 25th November
Time: 9:30am – 5:30pm (9:30am – 4pm Sunday 25th)
Location: Ripley Castle, Ripley, Harrogate, HG3 3AY
Visit the Ripley Castle website to find out more
RIPON
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair
There’s fun for all the family at Ripon Cathedral with delicious turkey sandwiches and mulled wine. There are 80 stalls that you can browse to find the perfect gifts, seasonal live music, and you can even meet Santa!
Date: 24th November
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Ripon Cathedral, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QT
Find out more about Ripon’s Market here
SKIPTON
Skipton’s Yuletide Festival & Christmas Market
Get your fill of festive food and drink delights as you browse the stalls in Skipton. There’s live music and carol singing to give you Christmas cheer, reindeer, lots of children’s activities, and lots more at this award winning market.
Date: 2nd and 9th December
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Skipton High Street, Skipton, BD23 1
If you’re in the area, you’ll not want to miss out on seeing the Christmas lights get turned on along the high street on 25th November at 5:30pm.
Find out more about Skipton’s market here
THIRSK
Thirsk Christmas Fayre & Market
There are lots of exciting things happening in Thirsk during their switch on weekend. In previous years, there have been famous guests, lots of live performances, stalls, delicious food and a magical Christmas feel. They’ve not released many details yet, but keep checking their website for information as the big day weekend draws closer.
Date: 23rd – 25th November
Time: Events happening all weekend
Location: Market Place, Thirsk, YO7 1LQ
Find out more about Christmas in Thirsk here
YORK
St Nicholas Fair
St Nicholas Fair is the heart of Christmas in York. With stalls in chalets all along Parliament street, you’re sure to find a present or two, as well as sample lots of the festive treats, soak up the Christmas atmosphere and find some festive magic.
Date: 15th November – 23rd December
Time: 10am start, various evening closing times
Location: Parliament Street, York, YO1 8SG
Find out more on the Visit York website
Barley Hall
Discover the secret traditions in medieval York in Barley Hall this year. Learn all about the use of charms, potions and magic during Christmas and celebrate in traditional style. Don’t miss the chance to see the Hall decorated in full Christmas glory.
Date: 17th November – 5th January
Time: 10am start, various evening closing times
Location: Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, York, YO1 8AR
Learn more on the Barley Hall website
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – and the Ice Factor
Enjoy the festive market, traditional fair rides, illuminated forest with reindeer, log cabins and the brilliant award-winning outdoor ice rink, the Ice Factor at the Designer Outlet in York again this year.
Date: 17th November – 6th January
Time: Open 9:30am – 9:30pm
Location: York Designer Outlet, Saint Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, York, YO19 4TA
Find out more on their website
Made in Yorkshire Crafts Market
As part of the larger Christmas market in York, Made in Yorkshire have a much loved marquee where local producers showcase their work and sell truly unique, Yorkshire presents. It features some of the finest art and crafts in the county including ceramics, paintings, glass, textiles and woodwork – everything created within Yorkshire’s boundaries.
Date: 15th November – 23rd December
Time: 10am start, various evening closing times
Location: Parliament Street, York, YO1 8SG
Christmas at York’s Treasurer’s House
The Treasure’s House in York looks splendid all year round, but at Christmas seasonal magic is all around. Make sure you take the time to visit and see the house in all its glory, take a step back through history, and make sure your little ones get to meet Santa while you’re there.
Date: 15th November – 16th December
Time: 11am – 4:30pm
Location: Minster Yard, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7JL
Find out more on the National Trust website
If your Christmas Fayre or Market does not appear above, please get in touch.
And if you need North Yorkshire holiday accommodation, find York hotels or guest houses in Harrogate on Hello Yorkshire.
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